Summary

An analysis of current social media content related to ACL recovery across four social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok

Abstract

Introduction

Anterior cruciate ligament tears are one of the most common sports-related orthopedic injuries. Patients who are young or sustain sports-related injuries are more likely to engage with social media as a source for health-related information. There is a paucity in data evaluating who is posting on social media and the content of recovery-related information. The purpose of this study was to analyze posts related to ACL recovery across four social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Methods

Key terms and hashtags including “acl recovery”, “acl rehab”, “acl journey” and “acl rehabilitation” were used to identify groups or posts across various social media platforms. Posts with the most engagement from each platform including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok were collected. Data extraction included the identifying characteristics of the poster, topic of posts, and tone of posts.

Results

The most recent posts from Facebook groups with at least 2000 members (n=95) were collected from 20 June 2022 to 7 July 2022. Posts were commonly shared by female and non-athlete patients and focused on advice-seeking. Instagram posts with at least 1000 likes (n=207) were collected from 18 May 2021 to 20 June 2022. Posts were commonly shared by males, athlete patients and allied healthcare professionals, with content focusing on educational posts. Posts were collected from Twitter with at least 50 likes (n=116) from 6 February 2013 to 24 Jun 2022. Posts were commonly shared by females and athlete patients and focused on sharing progress in ACL recovery. TikTok videos with at least 10,000 likes (n=88) were collected for each of the hashtags from 2 March 2020 to 30 May 2022. Posts were commonly shared by females and athlete patients with a focus on sharing personal stories. Physicians were more likely to post on Twitter and Instagram, with no posts on Facebook or TikTok.

Conclusion

Topics and populations engaging with content related to ACL recovery varied across the social media platforms. Progress and personal stories were commonly shared topics on Twitter and TikTok, Facebook focused on advice-seeking, and Instagram on educational posts. Physician presence was absent on Facebook and TikTok. These findings provide insight into what information is available to, and posted by, patients and those involved in patient care on social media. Knowledge about the content on social media can help providers consider new approaches to engage with patients and understand the current use of social media as a communication tool for ACL recovery.